8 'Yogisms' on Business and Life

American Pop Culture

Credit: Yogi Berra Museum and Learning CenterYogi Berra may have been a great baseball player, but he was an even better philosopher. His most famous "Yogisms" have become part of American popular culture. Here are eight of his famous sayings translated by BusinessNewsDaily into advice on work and business.

Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel.

Credit: Luggage iImage via ShutterstockThe meaning of this quote doesn't have anything to do with travel. Rather it highlights the need to be thrifty and not waste money on things that are not crucial to your success.

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Credit: Fork in the road image via ShutterstockThis one, on the other hand, is not as clear. Legend has it that this gem from Yogi came when he was giving directions to a friend. While it may not be the best driving instruction, it does say something about trusting your gut. When faced with a decision and several options, don’t be afraid to go with your gut.

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else.

Credit: Compass image via ShutterstockIn other words, have a plan. Whether in life or in business, things rarely work out the way you want them to when there is no planning. To improve your odds of success, plan out all the foreseeable details and then try to figure out how to deal with the ones you can't think of.

You can observe a lot by just watching.

Credit: Binocular image via ShutterstockThis one is simple enough. Don’t overlook all the things you can learn from colleagues and even competition. When you work your way up the ranks keep your eyes open to learn as much as you can.

It ain't over til it's over.

Credit: Finish image via ShutterstockQuite possibly the most famous Yogism, the meaning of this often quoted phrase is rooted in the fact that persistence will be rewarded. Perhaps this saying is more applicable to business owners than baseball players.

The future ain’t what it used to be.

Credit: Future image via ShutterstockCryptically, this saying makes surprising sense when you really think about it. Now more than ever, things change quickly and you can't anticipate things to stay the same. Again this highlights the importance of planning for business owners.

Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.

Credit: Busy mall image via ShutterstockThis saying is alleged to have originated when Yogi was asked why he stopped going to a St. Louis restaurant. The meaning, however, is very applicable to business. Don’t enter a crowded marketplace. If you do and people have too many options your success may be at stake.

Think! How the hell are you going to think and hit at the same time?

Credit: Baseball image via ShutterstockAlthough this contradicts an earlier quote, sometimes you cannot simply rely on the plan when things change. Sometimes the situation calls for a quick reaction and you cannot sit idly by while trying to figure out what your next move is.